More visitors will be able to stay at St. Cloud Hospital's guest house in the Northside Hester Park Neighborhood.

The St. Cloud City Council unanimously approved Monday allowing the Gorecki Guest House to add 16 units to the 12-unit facility.

The facility opened in 2009 for patients and family members who are receiving medical care in the St. Cloud area. Hospital officials say the demand is so high for the building that they are turning people away.

Several residents who live near the complex spoke during the meeting.

They said they were concerned about the building not fitting in with the neighborhood and the effects on property values.

Hospital officials held several meetings with neighbors to discuss their plans. Officials said Monday that they will continue to meet with residents as they move forward with design plans.

The addition will go on the north side of the current building. The two single-family homes on the property will remain.

The guest house is across the street from the hospital at 1309 Sixth Ave. N.

The expansion will add 16 new living spaces and no new public spaces. There are 26 off-street parking spaces at the hospitality house, and plans call for adding 13.

Benedict and Dorothy Gorecki of Milaca made a donation to fund the expansion.